Advocates for the preservation of the Western Grocer building will meeting Monday with a team of experts conducting a reuse study.

Sunday, September 09, 2001

Advocates for the preservation of the Western Grocer building will meeting Monday with a team of experts conducting a reuse study.

&uot;We’re in danger of losing yet another historic building that’s been in the community for over 100 years,&uot; said Karen Trow, who is coordinating the reuse study. &uot;It’s not the prettiest building, but it was well built, and we think it has a lot of potential.&uot;

The study, funded by the county, grant money and private donations, is part of an effort to find a suitable use for the century-old building and convince the county not to tear it down.

&uot;There is talk about a possible parking lot, or just building something else on the land. Personally, I think that would be a shame,&uot; Trow said.

The study process will be valuable for local preservationists who want to rescue other buildings downtown such as the old Freeborn Bank building.

&uot;I think we can learn something from this that we can apply to future projects,&uot; Trow said.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Riverland Community College Skylight Auditorium. Anyone interested in the welfare of downtown historic buildings is encouraged to attend, Trow said.